Redskins Insider: May 2, 2010 - May 8, 2010

There's nothing easy about these minicamp practices -- especially for rookies. The team has nearly three dozen rookies in camp, and on both Friday and Saturday that group had to report to Redskins Park by 6 a.m. That's because Mike Shanahan scheduled early-bird workouts with the rookies, and they were...

The Redskins are making progress in their second voluntary minicamp, and Coach Mike Shanahan is pleased with the players' effort, he said Saturday afternoon at Redskins Park. Shanahan addressed a wide range of topics on the only day of media availability during the three-day camp, including the participation of linebacker...

After spraining his ankle late during Friday's practice, Redskins second-year linebacker Brian Orakpo did not participate fully in Saturday's practice at minicamp. Orakpo said he isn't sure how he sprained his left ankle but did not seem concerned. "I just had a little minor injury yesterday towards the end...but it's...

The process of adjusting to a new setting and a new offense has continued for Redskins quarterback Donovan McNabb this weekend and the veteran said he is beginning to settle in to both new aspects of his career. McNabb is charged with helping to resurrect a Redskins offense that has...

Trent Williams won't likely forget his first snap wearing a Redskins' helmet. The rookie left tackle, who lined up with the first-team offensive line, learned right away that the NFL is different from college football. Center Casey Rabach snapped the ball, and, suddenly, Williams was surrounded by commotion. "Everybody was...

Linebacker Rocky McIntosh made his first appearance at Redskins Park since the offseason condition program began March 15, taking part in this weekend's three-day minicamp. The fifth-year linebacker had skipped the Redskins' first minicamp in April (both so far have been voluntary for veterans) and hinted he was hoping to...

Redskins wide receiver Santana Moss said Saturday he had arthroscopic surgery on his left knee in the offseason, a procedure he said he underwent because the knee had slightly bothered him for three years, but one that won't hold him out beyond this week's voluntary minicamp. "I had some stuff...

In email I've received recently, several Insider readers have asked my opinion about whether the Redskins could do anything to change Albert Haynesworth's mind regarding their 3-4 defense and his role in the scheme. Based on my conversations with people close to Haynesworth, the only thing that would change the...

There's no media access to minicamp today, so we don't have any first-hand accounts of how the first practice session unfolded. But here's what we do know so far: -- Linebacker Rocky McIntosh and cornerback Carlos Rogers signed waivers and showed up for the start of camp. Albert Haynesworth did...

The Redskins entered today's minicamp still reluctant to describe their defense as a 3-4 scheme. And with good reason. Coaches have made it clear that they want to make certain they have the proper personnel in place before committing to any single scheme (and no doubt, the defense we see...

Assuming cornerback Carlos Rogers eventually signs his tender offer, he is expected to again start opposite top corner DeAngelo Hall. And Rogers likes the changes being made in the secondary as part of the Redskins' new 3-4 defense. "It's going to be good," Rogers said Thursday in a phone interview....

Although cornerback Carlos Rogers still has not signed his one-year tender offer, he plans to participate in the voluntary three-day minicamp that began late Friday morning at Redskins Park. "Yeah, I'll be there," Rogers said in a phone interview late Thursday night. "I'm not [signing the tender yet], but...

A couple of new linebackers will be attending today's Redskins minicamp who were not a part of the last one. Rocky McIntosh, who has yet to sign his tender offer and sat out the first minicamp last month, has signed an injury protection agreement and will be practicing with the...

Rookies were expected to report Thursday to Redskins Park for the team's three-day minicamp, which begins today and runs through Sunday. The minicamp is mandatory for rookies, and this marks the first time coaches will get to work with them up-close. It'll be a packed locker room at the facility....

Join Post columnist Tracee Hamilton at 9:30 this morning for the latest edition of her daily "First Things First" chat, when she'll discuss the Redskins' latest moves, including the possibility of one to yellow pants. See what's on her mind, and submit your questions....

Defensive end Phillip Daniels will be at Redskins Park for the team's second minicamp, but he won't be participating in drills or the practice sessions. Daniels underwent arthoscopic knee surgery last week and is in the process of recovering. "I'm feeling good," Daniels said. "It's just something I had to...

I'm still reading the email and voicemail I didn't answer during my vacation, but I wanted to update everyone on the Albert Haynesworth situation. The update is that nothing has changed for Haynesworth, who still does not want to play nose tackle in the Redskins' new 3-4 defense and plans...

After a great vacation in Los Angeles with my wife and kids, I'm back at work and eager to cover this weekend's voluntary three-day minicamp at Redskins Park. Coach Mike Shanahan and General Manager Bruce Allen continued to reshape the roster and front office during my time away, and my...

Redskins General Manager Bruce Allen said today the team hasn't begun contract extensions talks with quarterback Donovan McNabb. "We know there will be a time and place to address that, but right now we're focused on trying to have as good a minicamp we can, a healthy minicamp ... there...

One player who's been in regular attendance during the Redskins' offseason conditioning program is Clinton Portis. And he's expected to be present at the team's second minicamp this weekend, showing coaches why he deserves to start ahead of Larry Johnson and Willie Parker this season. He spoke recently with Chris...

While the Redskins parted ways with two scouts today, they added at least one new employee. The team has hired Richard Mann II, who served the past three seasons in Tampa Bay's scouting department, according to a league source. Mann II was originally hired in Tampa Bay by Redskins General...

As the Redskins prepare to reshape their front office and scouting departments, they'll be moving forward without pro scout Don Warren and national scout Russ Bolinger. Warren played tight end for the team from 1979-92 and returned as a member of the personnel department in 2005 under Joe Gibbs. He...

The Redskins' first minicamp lasted just three days, but it's safe to say that coaches saw enough to refine their draft-day plans and plot some roster cuts. They'll be studying players just as closely as everyone reconvenes at Redskins Park on Friday for the team's second minicamp. This one is...

Updated at 6:50 a.m. Wide receiver Marko Mitchell wasn't unemployed long. Released Monday by the Redskins, Mitchell signed today with the Detroit Lions. Mitchell was a fan favorite in Washington who played big in the preseason last year but had only four catches in the regular season. He was one...

Remember the heartwarming story about the Redskins cheerleader whose husband surprised her with his return from Iraq? The video was even on "Today" last week. View more news videos at: http://www.nbcwashington.com/video. According to a report by The Post's Howard Kurtz, there's a story behind the story and it involves WJLA...

Tony Wyllie, the top public relations official of the Houston Texans, will join the Redskins, replacing Karl Swanson as senior vice president. Wyllie, who has spent the last 10 seasons as the Texans' vice president of communications and will focus on public relations with the Redskins, was not immediately available...

Peter King's "Monday Morning Quarterback" at SI.com is appointment-reading for most in the NFL, and he passed along a nugget this week that might intrigue Redskins fans. The Boston Red Sox have been leaning lately on Darnell McDonald, a 31-year-old outfielder who's spent most of his professional baseball career in...

Updated, 1:12 p.m. The Redskins have offered the senior vice president position vacated Monday by Karl Swanson, a long-time associate of Daniel Snyder, to Tony Wyllie, the top public relations official with the Houston Texans, according to multiple people with knowledge of the situation. It's believed that Wyllie will accept...

With a second minicamp just a few days away, we'll be focusing a lot more on the roster later this week. But for now, just a few more details of the departure of Karl Swanson, the team's long-time senior vice president. Our previous post on Swanson noted that he's leaving...

Updated at 12:47 a.m. Last week the Redskins' roster grew, but this week it's shrinking -- and at least one name will surprise you. The team released five players this morning, including receiver Marko Mitchell, who impressed during preseason last year but appears to be the odd man out following...

I had a chance to catch up with Daniel Jeremiah this weekend. He's the former NFL scout who now runs MoveTheSticks.com and nearly always has something pretty smart to share. Jeremiah was pointing out that it seemed not long ago a lot of people were ready to give up on...

Tight end Fred Davis emerged as a target for the Redskins in the 2009 after Chris Cooley suffered a season-ending ankle injury in October. But now, with Cooley healthy, there are questions about how the Redskins will manage the position. "The only position where one guy is out there is...